Automatic shut-off valve for vacuum on milking apparatus.



H. A. KRICKE.

AUTOMATIC SHUT-UFF VALVE FOR VACUUM 0N MILKING APPARATUS.

APPucATlou FILED MAR. 25. 1915.

1,183,080. Patented May16,1916.

1N VENTOR. W1 TNEssEs @www Hermangijfzzcke HERMAN A.l KRICKE, 0F CROWSLANDIG, CALIFORNIA.' Y@

AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF VALVEY FOR VACUUM 01Nl MILKING.- APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application led March 25,1915. Serial No. 16,877.

Automatic Shut-Off Valves for Vacuum on Milking Apparatus; and I dodeclare the following to be a clear, full, and exact der scription ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying'drawings, and to thecharacters of reference marked thereon,VY

which form a part of this application.

This invention relates to improvements in milking apparatus andparticularly to that type of mechanical milking apparatus com monlyknown Yas the pulsating pressure and vacuum type in which the teat cupsare operated by pulsating pressure and the milk withdrawn by vacuumsuction maintained in the milk receiving receptacle, an example of saidtype being shown in the patent to Sharples, #1,014,671, J an. 16th,1912.

My improved structure embodies an automatic control valve adapted tocontrol the suction from the teat cups into the receptacle. With theaction ofthe device described in the above mentioned patent, although apulsating action of the suction is obtained through the pulsator, theeffect of this action is lost due to the fact that after a vacuum isonce established in the milk receiving receptacle, this maintains aconstant suction from the teat cupswhich causes an undue suction on themilk ducts with consequent stricture thereof tending to develop aswelling and irritation of the udder of the animal.

My improved invention therefore is to overcome this constant suction andapply it only at thetime of the squeezing of the teat cups for thepurpose of drawing off the milk as it is squeezed from the milk ductthus performing the functions of the' device in any efficient mannerwithout injury to the animal in any degree.

The invention furthernprovides a manually operated means for temporarilyrendering inoperative the automatic control of the suction, as statedabove. e

A stillf further objectY of the invention is to produce a simple andinexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective forthe signed.

These objects, I accomplish by means of such structure and relativearrangement of the parts as will fully appear by a perusal of thefollowing specification and claims.

On the drawings, similar vcharacters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved shut-off valve partlyY brokenYout and in section. Fig. 2Y is a side elevation mostly in section ofthe shut-off valve. Fig. 3Y is a bottom plan view of the manuallycontrolled mechanism. Fig. 4'is a perspective view of thecompleteemilking apparatus showing the application of my device thereto.

As has been pointed out above, I, in this application, make no specificclaim to the structure of the milking apparatus itself,

purposes for which it is delhence will not at this time enter into anyparticular detailed description of the structure and operationVV of themilking appara tus as a whole but merely refer to the same briefly inorder that the application of my improved structure thereto may beclearly understood. v

Referring now more particularly to the characters of `reference o n thedrawings with particular reference to Fig.Y 4, the numeral 1 designatesthe pressure or lead pipe connected with the pulsator A, while thenumeral 2 designates the suction lead pipe connected with the saidpulsator A. The numeral 3 designates the pressure pipe leading from thepulsator A to the teat cups 5. The numeral 4 designates the suction pipecommunicating from the milk receiving receptacle B to the pulsator A andthe numeral 6 designates the suction pipe leading from theY teat cups 5to the receptacle B. This pulsator structure is the same as described inthe patent mentioned in the preamble to this specification, hence I donot enter into a detailed description of the same in this speciication,as it is a wellknown and 'commonly used type. My improved structure isinterposed between the pipe 6 and the receptacle BYY and isautomatically controlled by the pressure passing through the pipe 3 inorder to allow the suctionof the vacuum in the receptacle B tooperatethrough the pipe whenever the y nig C( f um 111- the receptacle. Thenwith the operation ofpressure is applied through the pipe 3 to the teatcups 5 to cause said teat cups to squeeze the milk from the milk ducts.This operation is carried on andl controlled by means of the followingstructure and operation, namely: The valve proper comprises a casing 7provided with@ centrally oriced of the receptacle E -the orifice 9 ofthe nipple 8 communicating with a passageway 10 in the body of thecasing 7, which passageway is controlled by a valve l11 hav.

ing a nipple 12 to. which is secured the pipe` 6 in any suitable manner.The said casing A. This normal closedv position isy main.

2lil

tained by the suction of such vacuurri` inthe receptacle A operating-topull the' stem 15 to closed position. Whenever the' pressure passesthroughthe pipe 3ato operate thel teat cups to squeeze the milk. fromthe milk' ducts, this vautomatically vdraws the stem- 15 away from thepassageways 9 and lO'to open communication between the same to allow ofthe milk beingsucked into-the .receptacle B and thisojperation ispermitted,

of by reason of the -following structure, namely: Communicating with thechamber 13 is a T-coupling 16 having nipples 17 and 18, the pipe 3-being cut and each partconnected with one' of these couplings Vso thatwhen the pressure passes through the pipe 3 it will likewise pass into.the chamber 13.

Thus when the pressure passes through thev pipe 3 to operate the teatcups, it simultaneously moves the piston y14 in the chamber 13 andPdraws the stem 15 away fromclosed position between the passageways 9and 10. i Thus simultaneously with the squeezing of the teat cups, thesuctioncaused by the vacuthe receptacle B draws the so squeezed-from themilk ducts .back .into

the pulsator, the pressure in jtherpipe 3 ceases, 'likewise withdrawingthe pressure from the chamber 13 and the action of the suction-in thereceptacle B`then draws thestem 15 to closed position again. This returnof the stem 15 is also aided by means of' an expansive spring 19disposed. iny an f adjustable lug 20 screwed intothe end of the casingand against which the piston 14 impinges when actuated by the pressureas above described. As said piston moves against said ring 19L itcgntracts the same and when sal pressure is reduced,- thesudcdenexpansion ofthe spring tends te' throw le 8 'adapted toy screw intozthecover attachment, namely lthe piston forwardto cau the stem 151 to moveto closed position. Th position ofthe plug 20 may be changed to vary thetension of the spring 19 and said plug 2O is also provided with a hole21'to allow of the escape ofy the compressed air caused by themovementof the piston 14 toward said plug 20.

' While I have set forth above that the suction through the pipe 6 isclosed-by the stem 15, I mean by this that the greater portion 'of thevsuction is so shut ol to prevent the drawing of any substantial portionof the milk at any other time than during the squeez'- ingoperation,'but I maintain a'slight suction by means of a small bleedport 22 leading from the passageway 9 to the passageway l0 when the stem15l is iny closed position. I maintain a tight joint between the chamberv 13and the passageways') and -10 by means of .a washer 24 interposed ina recess 25 formed lin the casing, said washer fittingclosely around thestem 15 andibeing'held linsuch position by means of a screw plug 26screwed into saidlrecess 25.l The valve 11 is-'used to positively 'openand shuticommunication from the receptaclev B to the pip'e,` 6 and'itsfullopen and closed positions are. determined by a small lug 11 movableagainst shoulders 11b which limitthe movement of the said valve 11.

There is one point which I wish to especially call attention to withrespect to the milk closing valve and that is thevfvact that the desiredresult to be obtained' is tcause the' suction on the teats of the cow-to cease the instant the squeezing Aoperation of the teat cups ceasesand this is acconriplishedv in my improved structure byreason of thefact that the vacuum inthe receptacle B 'is always present and hence isalways tending sov to draw against the stem 15. Thusthe-in- 4 stant thepressure medium 'is released. from the pipe 3 and consequently, fromagainst the piston 14, .this vacuum suction instantly draws ythe stem 15to closed position in a much quickerfmanner than the pressure 1s r':released so that the suction against the teats ceases with the releaseof the pressure medium'in the pipe The passageway ,9' through the nipple8 is curved las shownl so as to. deliver the milk against an indicatingglass Dl formed ini the side of the receptacle B, so that the.

operator may see at all times whetherlthe milk is being delivered.' Whenfitting teat cups on the animal or when removing the cover from thebucket, these two operations are.' rendered much easierby temporarilyrendering inoperative the vautomatic control valve which shuts off'communication between the suction line from the teat cups and thebucket and. this is accomplished by means of the followin manuallyoperated the u per side of the casing 7 I provide'. a threa ed orifice23 inf being a gasket 29 interposed between the ange 28 and the member23. Disposed eccentrically through the -member 27 is a pin 30 having areduced portion 31 projecting through the upper end of the member 27,there being suitable packing 32 interposed between the shoulder formedby this reduced portion and the member27 in -order to make a tightjoint. The member 27 projects within the casing 7 between the piston 14and the member 26 where it is provided with an eccentric cam 33engageable with the member 14 as the pin 30 is turned. This turningmovementof the pin 30 is accomp-lished by a knurled thumb screw 34mounted on the outer end of the portion 31 to the pin 30. A spring 35 isinterposed between the member 27 and thepm'ember 34 in order to-hold thepin 37 in" position against the packing 32. When it is desired, as notedabove, to temporarily open the valve 15 to render it inoperative, theoperator turns the member 34 which actuates the cam 33 against thepiston 14 moving andholding the valve 15 away from its normal closedposition. After the teat cups have been adjusted or the cover removed,as may be desired, the cam 33 may be again returned to neutral positionas shown in Fig. 2 when the valve will again automatically perform itsfunction, as noted. A pin 36 is disposed in the inner face of the member27 to act as a stop to regulate the turning movement of the cam 33 so itcannot turn so far as to render its function useless.

From the foregoing description it will,

readily be seen that IA automatically control the suction from the teatcups into the receptacle B to apply the same only when desired so as toovercome the deleterious results enumerated in the preamble to thespeciiication. It is further to be seen that I have produced such adevice as substantially fulfils the objects of the invention as setforth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferredconstruction of the device, still in practice, such deviations from suchdetail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a milkingapparatus having a milk receiving receptacle and teat cups, with apressure pipe communicating with said teat cups and a suction pipeleading from said teat cups to said receptacle, and means for creating avacuum in said receptacle, of a means for controlling the suction fromsaid receptacle through said pipe leading from said teat cups, suchmeans being controlled by the pressure medium moving through saidpressure pipe, as described.

2. A device of the character described comprising the combination of areceptacle, teat cups, a pulsator, a pressure pipe leading from saidpulsator to said teat cups, a suction pipe leading from said pulsator tosaid receptacle, whereby a constant suction will be effected in saidreceptacle, asuction pipe leading from said teat cups to saidreceptacle, and a control valve interposed between said last namedsuction pipe and said receptacle 'and being operatively 'connected withsaid pressure pipe whereby communication will be open between said lastnamed suction pipe and said receptacle only when a y 3. In a device ofthe character described,

a control valve comprising a casing having a passageway,Y a pistonmovable in caid cas- .ing and having a stem forming a normal closure forsaid passageway, means for applying a pressure medium against saidpiston to cause said stem to open said passageway, said stem beingadapted to be drawn by suction in said passagewav to close thepassageway, as described.

4. In a device of the character described comprising the combination ofa receptacle, teat cups, a pulsator, a pressure pipe leading` from saidpulsator to said teat cups, a suction pipe leading from said receptacleto said pulsator, whereby a constant suction will be effected in saidreceptacle, a suction pipe leading from said teat cups to said-receptacle, and a control valve interposed between said last namedsuction pipe and said i receptacle, said control valve comprising acasing, a piston movable in said casing and adapted to be controlled bythe pressure medium passing through said pressure pipe, a stem on saidpiston forming a normal closure between said last suction pipe and saidreceptacle when said pressure medium is not present in said pressurepipe and adapted to open communication when said pressure medium ispresent in said pressure pipe and operating said piston, as described.

5. A valve for the purpose described having a passageway and a chamber,a piston movable in said chamber and provided with a stem adapted to bedrawn byl suction in said 'passageway to close said passageway, meansfor connecting a pressure medium to said chamber to operate said pistonto cause said stem to open said passageway incombination with means foralternately applying and relieving said pressure medium whereby saidpassageway will be alternately opened and closed, as described.

6. The combinationwith a milking appa- 'te'at cups and a suction pipeleading'from said teat cups to said receptacle, land means for creatinga vacuum in said receptacle, of a means for controlling 'the suctionfromsaid receptacle through said pipe leading from said teat cups, suchmeans comprising a pis-- I ton, control valve koperable by the pressuremedium moving through said pressure pipe, and means for temporarilyrendering` said valve inoperative, such `means comprising a movable camengageable with said piston to move and hold such valve to in aninoperative position, as described.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of areceptacle, teat cups, va

lsuction pipe leading from said teat cups to said receptacle, means foreilecting a constantrsuction in said receptacle, a shut-oil valve insaid first named pipe, the same being normally7 held in closed positionby the suction in said receptacle, and independent means for operatingsaid valve, as described.

In Witness whereof, I aiix my signature.

HERMAN A. KRICKE.

